Fuel Friday - Earth Week with Activist Alliance

Fuel Friday: Let’s talk petroleum – easily the most commonly used fossil fuel currently on the market (though not the only). About 76% of petroleum is in some form of fuel: gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, heating oil and others. That leaves about 24% that becomes other things: plastic, asphalt, tar, paraffin wax, and others – even elemental sulfur can be produced during the refining process.
That means oil is everywhere and in everything we do. It’s estimated that, barring new technology, we have enough fossil fuels to support current consumption through 2040. 2040 – that’s 23 years from now.

We have to find more sustainable energy sources. And we have to do it for several reasons.

1) We will run out. And that deadline is coming very soon.

2) What we’re doing is already wreaking environmental havoc in the form of pollution with long term real repercussions in terms of the our health and the planet’s health. (Fun fact: air pollution from the burning and refining of fossil fuels kills 200,000 American a year.)

3) Sustainable energy isn't just better for the environment, it's also better for pocket books and the economy. Currently, there are twice as many jobs in the solar energy field than in coal. And coal is not as economically viable as solar - it costs more money to make less energy. Also, places like Georgetown and Fort Hood have become green cities/bases solely because it is cheaper to be so. Going green can save you money!

4) The United States is losing the sustainability race. Currently, China is the world leader in clean energy, and is poised to be the leader in climate plans as well. (Currently, China holds 3.5 million of the 8.5 million jobs in clean energy worldwide (that's about 41%), The United States holds 769,000 (that's 9%)) 

Don’t worry though, you can help:

1) As has been mentioned throughout the week – limit plastic intake and use. And recycle what you do use. Plastic is pretty toxic to the environment and every little bit that doesn’t go into our oceans helps here.

2) Find ways to limit fuel consumption – can you commit to riding public transit for at least a day a week? No public transit where you live? Can you commit to car-pooling and having one less car on the road? (And bonus! Public transit and/or car-pooling is cheaper than driving!)

3) Write to your congressman. Lobby for sustainable plans and alternative energy. Ask them what they are doing to help move the country away from fossil fuels.

4) Spend your money in places that have a low carbon footprint and are actively looking for ways to step away from fossil fuels. (Here’s a list: https://environmental-tracking.etindex.com/… ) 

5) Find a carbon calculator online and find out what your carbon footprint is the largest - is it travel, food, commuting. Make a commitment to shrink that footprint by even 1%. (Here's one: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx )

6) Talk about it. Did you know that around 75% of people talk about climate change less than 3 times a year? Make a commitment to make that 6 times a year, or even once a month, for yourself and increase those numbers. 

Happy Earth Week with Activists Alliance! Post by Activists Alliance member Reesa Graham.

Thirsty Thursday - Earth Week with Activist Alliance

Coming off of Wellness Wednesday, we designate today as Thirsty Thursday to highlight the importance of water for life on Earth, ranging from habitat to hydration to hygiene to providing a healthy dose of fun.

Water availability and conditions vary in different regions so look at your local guidelines first to inform yourself. The included links have been selected to broaden and further the information you have to make conscious choices in how you use water and treat it as a resource. Happy Earth Week with Activists Alliance!

Post by Activists Alliance member Victoria Sagitta.

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/…/env-freshwater-whycare

https://www.worldwildlife.org/habitats

http://www.cnn.com/…/03/04/us/flint-water-crisis-fast-facts/

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-north-dakota-pipeline-protest-20161125-story.html

https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/25/beautiful-water-landscapes-photos-_n_4101678.html?slideshow=true#gallery/304186/12

Welness Wednesday - Earth Week with Activist Alliance

Today is Wellness Wednesday.

When we think of climate change, our minds probably wander to the large scale environmental destruction posed by this phenomenon. Rising sea levels, soaring temperatures, polluted air, melting glaciers, decimation of natural habitats, etc. These instances are not new to us as they have become the outward face of the problem in the mainstream media.

On the one hand, these calamities cannot be ignored. They have the power to wreak havoc on billions of people, upending societies as their force pummels the planet. On the other hand, how often do we stop to consider the closer-to-home impact of a warming planet?

The articles below highlight the health and wellness challenges posed by climate change. When the rest of the world is thinking big scale, we're asking you to think local and think about yourself.

On Wellness Wednesday, we encourage you to take some time to enjoy the natural and sustainable beauty that is around you. Plan a trip to your nearest national park this summer. Go for a run instead of working out on the elliptical. Meditate in an urban or rural green space. Check out your community's local garden or farmer's market. Walk to work.

Whatever your action, be mindful of how these spaces contribute to your personal wellness and how their instability could undermine your health. Happy Earth Week with Activists Alliance!

Post by Activists Alliance member Sydney West. Please copy and paste on your wall to spread the word about Wellness Wednesday.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…/human-wellness-climate-chan…

http://www.livescience.com/35635-climate-change-health-coun…

https://www.apha.org/…/improving-health-and-wellness-throug…

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/…/public-health-experts-find-poor-…

http://newsstand.clemson.edu/…/research-linking-urban-gree…/

https://www.theguardian.com/…/climate-change-national-parks…

https://www.nps.gov/articles/climatechangeandparks.html

Tupperware Tuesday - Earth Week with Activist Alliance

Did you know that the average American throws out 185 pounds of plastic a year? Plastic is useful, but ignorant or flagrant use of it has harmful consequences.

Today on Tupperware Tuesday, we invite you to take the No Plastic Challenge, and go the whole day without using disposable plastics, such as saran wrap, straws, one-use water bottles, plastic utensils, and plastic shopping bags.

Bring a reusable bottle to work today. Pack your lunch in reusable tupperware and bring silverware from home, or reuse your plastic utensils instead of throwing them away. Buy in bulk, use fabric bags to carry your groceries home, and when you stop for coffee, bring a reusable thermos (it’s not only a great way to cut down on disposable cups, but you oftentimes get a discount)!

Also, you can avoid using face wash or soap that contain microbeads, which pollute our water and poison animals. For more ideas on how to cut down your plastic usage, visit https://www.nrdc.org/stori…/10-ways-reduce-plastic-pollution.

Here is more information on microbeads: http://storyofstuff.org/plastic-microbeads-ban-the-bead/
When you look at the ingredients of your healthy-beauty products, you won't see "microbead". Look for polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or polymethyl methacrylate.


As you can see, it IS possible to mitigate your impact on the planet regarding what you consume and then produce as waste with easy choices

Meatless Monday - Earth Week with Activist Alliance

Today is Meatless Monday!

Whether you're a vegetarian, an animal rights advocate, or simply someone who loves variety on your plate, incorporating more meatless meals into your repertoire is a great thing to do. Producing meat under the factory farming model has enormous costs in terms of resources, environmental impact, and both human and animal health. 

And while many people around the world choose not to consume any meat, there's no reason you can't support more ethical and sustainable farming while remaining omnivorous! 

Even reducing your meat consumption by one meal a week can reduce your carbon footprint and water usage. Add another one or two meatless meals, and you can take the money you save and use it to buy local and/or ethically raised meats for the rest of the week. 

For more information, check out Meatless Monday's official site (www.meatlessmonday.com). Happy Earth Week with Activists Alliance!

Sustainability Sunday - Earth Week with Activist Alliance

On Sustainable Sunday, we’re sharing some concrete steps you can take to live more sustainably and eco-consciously. Do you have ideas or suggestions for living more sustainably? Share them in the comments!

1) Find a composting program in your local area. Keep your egg shells, banana peels, and food scraps in a bag in your freezer, and then bring it to a local drop-off site, or arrange for a program to come pick it up. You’ll be cutting down on waste, and supporting local community gardens and parks!

2) Be mindful of the energy you use at home. Turn off the lights when you’re not in a room, unplug chargers when you’re not using them, and turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth.

3) Recycle, recycle, recycle! 

For more ideas on how to live more sustainably, check out this article. Happy Earth Week with Activists Alliance!